Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-05-20
'POLLY'S TRAMP
BY ROSE B. KANE.

open, and a gruff, though kindly
looking man entered.
"Have you a nice fire, little onef
Bad night, tonight. You can hear
the waves a-dashing up against the
rocks and the wind rOars. I'm glad
we have our little snug place to-
night. pve brought up the Boston
papers"
'I'm so glad you are in, father,
dear. / worried about you. Tea
is all ready now; l pity anyone out
tonight"
~ do, too, Polly. You must not
worry about your old daddy. He
has faced lots OF these gales and
able for many more. Lets have
our supper
Polly took her place opposite her
father. Bright, impulsive Polly,
the one CLEAN of sunshine in her
old fathers heart. These two were
so much to each other.
To Polly this big gruff man was
q king among men. He was father,
friend, teacher-everything to Pol
ly. They were very popular in
this little village By the sea. Pol.
" was considered "likely girl
and "Old Dan Darrow a very clev-
or fellow" Their home was not
beautiful far from it, being rude
and rough like the other houses on
the rocky coast, but Polly's nimble
fingers had added many tasty
things to the interior. There was
Polly's bird TO keep her company
through the long day, few good
books for companions and her
household cares to keep in mind.
After supper Polly read the pa
pers to her father, stopping now
and then to listen to the wind as it
dashed the snow against the win
dow and whistled down the chin
ney.
"Father didn't you hear a step
near the door !"
mo, dear, only the wind. The
moaning and sobbing of the wind
seems almost human tonight; but,
then, l think that's knock. I'll
light the lantern, and You hold it
near the door and I'll look"
The wind blew the snow into his
face as he opened the door and
Polly heard him say:
"Come in, sir; step ill.," And
when the door was closed she saw
a tall young man, his coat covered
with snow. His pale face showed
plainly that he had been suffering
and O great feeling Of pity came In
TO PollS's heart. She arose at once,
as her father was fastening the
door aud placed chair near the
Ere. "Please sit down, sir, and re-
move your coat. This is a bad
night 70 be out"
"Thsnk you" and he laid the
vet, shabby coat and hat on the
chair. ~ found ii SO; you must
pardon me for intruding but the
light looked so inviting and l was
90 tired and cold"
"And hungry thought Polly,
looking at the pale, delicate face
She won't to the little cupboard and
taking the still warm rolls from
their place and the plate Of cold
meat, laid them on the table. The
stranger paid no attention to her,
but looked dresmily into the fire.
"Now,r said Polly behind him,
elf you feel warmer will you come
and have a cup of coffee p
ado now, boy; it will do you
good. Come, set up to the table.
We're plain folks, me and my Pol
ly, but you're heartily welcome to
share with u.s." said old Dan cor
daily.
81 thank you very much. Pm
sorry to trouble you, but Pm very
hungry."
"Just what 1 thought. Well,
yon have come to the right place."
continued he, as the stranger
watched Polly prepare his coffee.
"Will you let me tell you about
myselfi" said the stranger as they
took their places around the FIRE
again. ~ have been unfortunate"
"Never mind, it might not make
you feel any better. 1t appears to
me you are not very strong. Will
you tell MS where you came fromi'
said Mr.. Darrow.
"My home is in New York my
name is Ellis, Tom Ellis"
Polly looked at her father quick
~, aud that look said: "Don't
make him tell" Her father under.
stood, and was silent. The straD.
ger arose.
az an obliged to you, sir, and
Sonr daughter for your kindness to
me. Some time may be able to
repay you"
''May I ask where you are going,
boyp
81 do not know"
"Just sit right down and stay
where you are. 1 guess Dan Oar.
row can make you comfortable for
one night. My dear boy, 1 wouldn't
let a dog 60 out into this storm"
"But / may be 10 the way. 1t
may not be convenient"
"Never you mind, You just do
az I tell you"